Classifying system for pieces of solid material having unequal size



April 22, 1952 Filed March 14, 1947 J. E. EVANS CLASSIFYING SYSTEM FOR PIECES OF SOLID MATERIAL HAVING UNEQUAL SIZE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hull i "Ill Zhwentor Jamey l7. Zmzzw Gttomeg Apnl 22, 1952 J. E. EVANS 2,593,425

CLASSIFYING SYSTEM FOR PIECES OF SOLID MATERIAL HAVING UNEQUAL SIZE Filed March 14, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Snveutor Jamar E Ema-1* 3B I @Iflomej An 22, 1952 J. E. EVANS 3,

' CLASSIFYING SYSTEM FOR PIECES OF SOLID MATERIAL HAVING UNEQUAL SIZE Filed March 14, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 3nventor 17162) E. Emzu attorney v to a classifying system to which i' Patented Apr. 22, 1952 UNITED OFF-ICE SOLIDYMA'IERIAIF Y fs l le ngton, Del.,

My' invention relates to {a'method o 'ap- 'Yarious other objects and advantages of my paratus for classifying small pieces ofsoli mainvention will become apparent from the followterial having unequalsize. I a 1 ing detailed description. H

' From one broad aspect,;my inve tion 'elates H Myinventionresides in the; classifying system, i E method steps, apparatus and combinations of the charge formed froin pieces ofsoli'djmateri v character hereinafter described and I claimed. have been'stratified to form apattern-conforining H For an understandingof. my invention and for A with gradation in-sizeof-the fc t illustration of one formand oneapplication oi material. This 'chargep'fan I, I thereof,- -referencex iswto. be had to the accomclassifying system, isseparatedintos panying drawings, in which: -materialeach 'having,upon'passageirom aid sys- Fig. 1 isan elevational view, partly in section, tem, substantially the-saznerange of 'siz e distribw ;s howing my novel'classifying system as incorpotion as regards the pieces oI'solid-mate ial ore ratedgin a system traversed by circulating contact 7 particularly,resulting -from-the ai'oresaid opera; "material;

- tion, the total charge of material is-apportioned 15 F'igs'jla. is an horizontal sectional view,partly so that the respective streams thereof-contain in plan, taken on the line a-.-l a of Fig. .l; t

' substantial equal quantities of rna terial. v In Fig.2 is a longitudinal, sectional view, partly in g In accordance with a-preferred application of elevation, showing my; novel classifyingsystem; the invention, the'aforesaidflclassijying system I Fig. 2a. is a perspective .view, partly'broken comprisesagrate-like structureformedfrp' go away, illustrating a detailed feature of the inmaterial.

- solid materialhereinbeioreireferredt j in'sma11 pieces'navin unequal known in'theart as contact material",

regenerating zones. Co

' i's formed-Tram pieces ofinate' falh'avi'ng wardly in fmoving' bedfa liion utilization 'of myfnove 'pro'vesf uniformity 'of' di ri "vention; [Fig.3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 3-3 of F gr v Figs. 4 and 4a are plan views as viewed from 't11"e line4+4,,ofFig. 2;v I Figs. 5 and,6: are longitudinalsectional .views, partly in plan, taken on the lines 5-5 and 6-6 Of'Fig. 2; and, Fig.7 is a perspective view showing parts of my ;-traverse the aforesaidpipes are ca classifying system in disassociated' relation. the characteristics; referred to gabove a 'gards For the purposes'ofexplanation, I have'illussize distribution and quantity of the pi esof trated and described my invention in connection rwith an jimportant application which, as herein-- before stated, relates'to passageo'f contact material; downwardly through a housing. Thus, in 'Figql', A represents such. a housing. which is traversedby gravitating contact material vB having thereon a carbonaceous deposit 'which,' for-regenerating purposes, is burned when af'suitable regenerating, medium such as air is admitted-to said housing A in suitable manner, as by arplu- 'ra lity of spaced engagers C. the resulting flue --gases being withdrawn'from' the housing lACby a plurality ofspaced disengagers D. Regenerat- 'ingfarrangements of theichara'cter described are well-known and, in connection therewith, it shall be understood that, the engagers .C and disengagers D may be of, any suitable character, for V V g example; as k'nown in theart. p, "M e d s 9 nvsuitab ar a eme tmayheutili ed for n a sef ftfe i ng n qntall 1 1 101 15 1 a continuously discharging the regenerated contact housingat'different rspectite e is, ch ixneriaiirromthe housing A, To this end and From an important aspect -df the riv t known manner, circulates continuo closed "system" coinpiisin thus utilizedf for areaso dimensions 1 ranging down. to" firie a'foresaidzones', such in rial {j 'ofthe invention that-fin a fining areactionfregenerating;

s vemnr bemg aavanfiagttts 'rbfi tfi, ,s t uagrani'inatiQalIY indicated, a plurality, of ""lierinafterflescribed. "spaced horizontal tube sheets E may be secured to the interior surface of the lower end portion of the housing A, the extreme lower portion of which, preferably, is conical as illustrated. A plurality of suitably spaced tubes or pipes F open through and depend from each of the tube sheets E. As known in the art, the tubes F on successively lower tube sheets progressively decrease in number and the diameter thereof progressively increases whereby the contact material passes through the lower conical end portion of the housing A and reaches a main discharge pipe- Contact material of the character referred to above is usually catalytic in character such,.for

example, as activated clay pellets, synthetic silica-alumina pellets or beads etc., having suitable major dimensions which may range upwardly to inch, inch or more. In operation, this contact material circulates continuously through the system comprising the regenerating and reaction housing. Therefore, even though of standard dimensions when admitted to'the sys tem, it results, due to attrition during continued operation, that gradation in size of the contact material occurs. Hence, normally, during .such continued operation, the size of the contact-material ranges downwardly from that which is of standard dimensions to mere dust-like particles or fines which, to substantial extent, along with smaller sub-standard pieces form a part of the circulating contact material. I

During gravitating passage of contact material of the character described downward through the pipe orconduit J,.a stratifying operation occurs whereby the smaller pieces of material settle toward'the bottom surface thereof. As a result,

ably secured to each other to form a grate or frame L having oblong rectangular configuration, this grate L, in the example shown, being defined by four longitudinal rows of funnels al, a2, a3 and 114 with eight funnels in each row, the transverse rows of four funnels each being "related to the longitudinalrows in right-angular relation. As hereinafter described, the contact material from the conduit J is discharged onto the upper surface of the grate L with the result ,that the funnels K guide independent streams thereof downwardly toward the top of the housing A. For purposes of explanation, the funnels K, Fig. 4, are designated by the numerals I, 2,

3 and 4. Thus, there are eight funnels bearing the numeral I, eight funnels bearing the numeral 2, and so on.

As regards the longitudinal funnel rows al and a2, it will be observed (except for the funnels I at the respective ends of said rows) that the funnels I 2, 3 and 4 of the row (12 are staggered or offset toward the left, Fig. 4, with respect to the respective funnels I, 2, 3 and 4 of the row al, the funnels being thus staggered or offset a distance corresponding with the length of any one of the duplicate funnels at the top surface thereof. It will also be observed that this staggered or offset funnel arrangement exists between correspondingly identified funnels of the rows (13 and a2 together with those of rows a4 and 113.

Thus, as

1 indicated by the lines (2, Fig. 4, there are a plurality of spaced rows of the funnel I, 2, 3 and 4 which are diagonally related to the longitudinal axis of the grate L.

the contact material, as it reaches the lower end portion of said pipe J, has assumed a condition .iwhereinffthe fines are at and immediately adjacent the bottom surface thereof while," upwardly from this bottom surface, the pieces of contact material progressively increase in: size.

In accordancewith the invention, a classifying st m Or'arrangement is provided which receives the contactrmateri'al, after passage thereof from the lower'endof the pipe J, and guides it into the upper end of the housing A in a-sele'ctivfe mani ner to therebymodify the aforesaid nonuniform size distribution of the contact materialin the conduit J and cause distribution, thereof in a desired and improved manner horizontally. across said housing A.

For the purpose described above, reference i to be had to Figs. 2, 3, and 4' wherein I have shown a plurality of duplicate passage-forming members, such as tubular frustrums'which, respectively, are of right-angle, rectangular pyramidal configuration, each of these frustrums, in the form of the invention herein shown, defining a funnel K utilizable as hereinafter described. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the upper surfaces of zontal plane with the respective converging surfaces thereof extending downwardly. In the form of the invention herein illustrated, although not necessarily, the funnels K are grouped and suit In accordance with the invention, a group of attached receptacles M are disposed below and suitably secured to the aforesaid grate L diagonally as regards the longitudinal axis thereof in' the same sense as described above with respect to the diagonal relation of the staggered funnels. For purposes of explanation, these receptacles are designated by the reference characters Ia, 2a, 3a and 4a, Fig. 5. Thus, there are three receptacles M bearing the reference character I a, three receptacles bearing the reference character 20, and three receptacles bearing the reference character 3a. In addition, there are two receptacles M bearing the reference character 4a. As shown in Fig. 5, the bottom wall of each receptacle M comprises a discharge passage m'utilizable as hereinafter described.

When the receptacles M are properly positioned in the described diagonal relation, all of the funnels I communicate only with the receptacles Ia, all of the funnels 2 communicate only with the receptacles 2a, all of the funnels 3 communicate only with the receptacles 3a and all .terial traversing thirty-two of the funnels F .70 all of the funnels K may coincide with a horipasses into eleven receptacles M.

Further in accordance with the invention, a group of attached containers N, Figs. 6 and 7, having sloping bottom wall surfaces are disposed below and suitably secured to the aforesaid receptacles M, these containers extending in parallel relation with respect to the hereinbefore described rows of funnels al, a2, etc. and being designated by the respective reference characters Ib, 2b, 3b and 4b. From a consideration of Figs. 5 and 6, it will be evident that the passages m of all of the receptacles Ia are disposed above the container Ib, that the passages m of all of the receptacles 2a are disposed f-f'all --of the receptacles 3d are disposed above he container 3'b"and that the 'passages m of 11" of the receptacles 4e are disposed above the -container 4171' Thus, in theform of the invention herein shown, all of the contact material traversing eleven of the'receptacles passes nto 'four of-tlie containers N: Still further, in accordance with the invention, a -groupoffpipesj P are disposed below and suitably secured to the j aforesaid containers N. hes'e pipes are-designated by the respective referencecharacters Ic,2c,3c and 4c and the i he -upper ends thereof communicate, respectively,-"with thecontainers lb, 2b, 3b and 4b. As shown in Fig. 1a, the pipes P extend through he upper wall of the'housingA preferably in uniformly spacedrelation as illustrated. -In -vi'ew of the' foregoing, it will bejunderstood that' -the" receptacles -M and the containers N sK a'nd the respective pipes P.v More particularly, -due to the described receptacle-container arrangement,- allof the funnels [communicate only with the pipe 1c, allof the funnels 2 comcommunica'te only with thepipe 3c and'all of the runner communicate only with the pipe fl-l'cbf"Accordingly, all of and only the contact 1 imaterial traversing the group of funnels l armaterial traversing the group ne'cted onlyto the pipe te, consists of two funnels I in each of the funnel rows al, a2, a3 and a4. f It is a'- feature-of the invention; as shown in j' Fig ."4 ,-*th'at the funnels I of each group thereof are-*spaced'in the same relation (the same distanc'e apart longitudinally along the grate L,- this holding true as-re'gards each of the funnel ""rows'dL d2, etc: Similarly, thesame uniform 5 ed relation exists between individual funnel's iof thegroups'of funnels, 2, 3 and 4.

Referringparticularly'to Figs. 2 and 2a, the lower end ofthehereinbefore described pipe J iss'ho'wn as having; secured thereto an elongated 'nozzle' drmouthpiece R which is disposed in a orms -substantiallya continuation of the pipe "wmie-eiver'gmg from opposite, respective sides hereof: Secured within said nozzle portion are *a plurality of diverging vanes or web members r which mayterminate at the upper surface of;

thevertical nozzle end portion.

During opera'tion' of'the system herein deibed; the buckets of theelevator l successively 'ischarge, contact materialinto the upper end downwardly through said' pipe J and then '"throu'gh the'aforesaid nozzle R. By the nozzle vane's 'r,'the contact material is directed or guided '"towardthet'g'rate L and caused to flow laterally across the grate to form a supported horizontal "mass "in which the material is horizontally fstratified, as contrasted to the vertical stratification occurring in discharge pipe J. That is, "thema't'erialis transposedv from a mass in which the pa'rticle-size gradationis vertical to one in whichthe gradation is horizontal. In Fig. id.

have shown typical outline taken by the contact material as it engages the uppersurface of said grate L after passage. thereof from the efi'ne passages extending between the funnels unicate only withthe pipe 2c, all of the funnels rives at thefpipe to, all of and only the contact e'at right angles' to the plane of said pipe As willbenotedgthe upper nozzle portionfl the pipe J, each "charge thereof gravitating abovethe'conta'iner 2b, that the passage m nozzle R. From a comparison of the total areas pears that the entire amount of such"c.oritact material is apportioned substantially equally between the respective groups of -funnels which are within the outline referred to, above. Further, this sam'e'r'elation exists "for different outlines taken by, the"contact material provided that, in each instance, "it extends 'at least nearly to the ends and sides of 'thegrate Lfi'n the g'eneral manner shown in Fig, 402'."

'It was hereinbefore explained, that, during passage thereof through the conduit J, thecontact material stratifie's in thesense that'the fines settle to the bottom con'duitsurfaeffromwhich the size of the pieces of contactmaterial progressively increase in 'an'upward fdirectio'nf Passage, of the contact material through the nozzle R changes the configuration of the moving stream of contact material from thatiinposedby the pipe J to that imposed by'the no'zzle R"' together with its vanes T but is withoutany particular effect on the stratification pattern. Therefore, by reason of the fact that the plane of thenozzle R is at right-angles to the plane'of the pipe J,

it results that the contact, material, when it engages the upper surface of thegrat is stratified generally as shown by the shadejlines in Fig. 4a wherein the light. shade lines indicate the fines while the progressively heavier" shade lines indicate the progressively larg'erf" p ieces. With a stratification pattern. of this character, the contact material which enters any group of funnels has substantially the same range of size distribution as that which enters eachfof 1 the other groups of funnels.

Accordingly, by my invention, streams of contact material, whichare substantiallyequah in quantity, traverse therespective groups of funnels and pass to the respective'pipe'slc, 2c,' 3c, 4c and each of these streams has substantially the same range of size distribution as regards the pieces of material having unequal size.' A classifying operation vof this characteroccurs for two reasons. It is due, first, to the staggered or offset relation which, in the respective funnel rows al, a2, a3, and a4, exists between the group of funnels I, the groups .of funnels 2, and so on and, second, it is du'e'to the fact that the funnels of each group thereof are spaced in the same relation longitudinally along the grate LI" As stated above, the pipes I0, 20, 3c and fic, hereinafter referred to' as thepipes P, extend into the upper part of the housing A and, by these pipes, streams of contact materialh'aving the characteristics referred to immediately above are admitted thereinto. As shown in Fig. 1a, the housing A is square in horizontal section and the discharge ends 'of said pipes P should be disposed in uniformly spaced relation with respect to each other and with. respect to the housing wall structure. Therefore, in a horizontal plane coinciding with the discharge ends of the aforesaid pipes, thecontact material is distributed substantially uniformly, as regards quantity and range of size distribution of the piecesthereof, in each of four symmetrical zones as defined by the discharge ends of the respective pipes P. r This is advantageous for the reasons hereinafter stated.

Preferably, as shown in Figs. 1 and 1a, a horizontal tube sheet S is supported interiorly of the housing A a suitable distance below the ends of the pipes P. ,Av plurality of tubes T open through and depend from the tube sheet S and" a group of these tubes, preferably four, are symmetrically related to each of the pipes P, the diameter of each of said tubes T being suitably reduced compared with that of each of the pipes P.

During regeneration in the housing A, the rate of withdrawal of contact material therefrom by way of the conduit G is suitably selected so that the contact material, at the lower ends of the pipes P and the tubes T, assumes and retains conical configuration generally as indicated in Fig. 1.

With an arrangement of the character described, each group of the tubes T distributes the contact material passing thereto from the associated pipe P substantially uniformly throughout approximately one-quarter of the total horizontal cross-sectional area of the housing A. As stated above, the contact material is distributed substantially uniformly, as regards quantity and range of size distribution of the pieces thereof, in each of the four zones defined by the discharge ends of the pipes P. By reason of the described action of each group of the tubes T with respect to the contact material issuing from each associated pipe P, it results that the aforesaid uniform distribution of the contact material is maintained to substantial extent throughout a plane extending horizontally through the housing A. Further, due to the fact that the contact material gravitates generally in a vertical direction through the housing I, the last named condition of uniform distribution persists throughout the vertical height of the housing A. This is highly advantageous.

Thus, should fine and coarse contact material be concentrated to substantial extent in different respective zones extending vertically through the housing A, the regenerating medium A admitted thereto by the engagers C would traverse the coarse material zones to substantially greater extent than the fine material zones. As a result, the regenerating action in the material zones would be insuificient to effect proper removal of the carbonaceous deposit whereas, in the coarse material zones, the regenerating action would be magnified with resultant overheating and production of undesired hot-spots. By my invention, the contact material is not concenrated by size classes or in vertical strata to any substantial extent and, therefore, the regenerating operation proceeds in a desired manner. This insures substantially uniform regeneration of all of the contact material and prevents development of temperatures sufiiciently high to damage the contact material or metallic parts of the housing A and associated apparatus.

It is true that, in the conical piles of contact material beneath the pipes P and tubes T, minor stratification of the contact material may occur and this is reflected by some non-uniformity in size distribution of the contact material in the downwardly moving bed thereof. However, this is insufficient to prevent satisfactory regeneration as described above and this is due to the fact that, when the contact material is admitted to-the housing A, it is, as stated, distributed substantially uniformly, as regards quantity and range of size distribution, at the di charge ends of the pipes P.

The arrangement described above as comprising the pipes P, the tube sheet S and the tubes T relates to an important feature of the invention. However, in connection therewith, it shall be understood that there is to be no limitation to the exact arrangement as disclosed and that any suitable number of these pipes and tubes, or equivalent may be utilized for the purpose stated.

Neither is the invention to be limited to introduction of the contact material into a regenerating housing which is square in horizontal section. As well, the housing A may have other suitable configuration and, if desired, it may be utilized for conducting any desired reaction adapted to proceed in the presence of gravitating contact material which is substantially uniformly distributed in accordance with the invention.

In the previous description, the grate L has been described as disposed in a horizontal position. It may be otherwise positioned and the contact material may be supplied thereto in any suitable or desired manner. Thus, for example, the grate L may be supported in inclined relation adjacent the upper end of the elevator I so as to receive charges of contactmaterial directly from the elevator buckets.

As regards the classifier of the invention, it will be understood that'there may be any suitable number of the funnels K or equivalent passage-forming members and, likewise, there may be any suitable number of outlet pipes P. Obviously, various equivalent arrangements may be utilized for connecting the aforesaid funnels K, or equivalent, in desired grouped relation to the pipes P. Increase in number of the funnels accompanied by decrease in size thereof improves the efficiency of the classifier as regards its intended functions.

The funnels, or equivalent, may be grouped otherwise than as disclosed and desired a single row thereof (instead of the four rows al, a2, a3 and a4) may be connected in groups to the outlet pipes P in accordance with the general disclosure of this application. In connection with this simplified phase of the invention, the grate L may be omitted and, if so, the stratified material may be discharged directly onto the receptacles M, Fig. '7, which then serve as the grate and generally in classified manner as hereinbefore described pass the material to the containers N and then to the pipes P. As will be understood, the planes of the respective receptacles M may be parallel to the plane of the pipe J. or at some acute angle, preferably substantially less than a right angle, with respect thereto, the latter being indicated on the drawing.

In view of the foregoing description, it will be understood that I have disclosed a preferred system as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 which comprises the funnels K, and a simplified system as shown in Fig. 7 in which said funnels are omitted. Either system, as regards material which is charged thereinto in stratified condition, func tions to eliminate the stratified pattern and cause the material, in each of the pipes P, to have substantially the same range of size dis tribution as regards the pieces of material. Obviously, the material from the pipes P, for any desired purpose, may be combined in a single pipe or receptacle and, if so, the apparatus of my invention operates merely as an arrangement for de-stratifying previously stratified material. Unless otherwise limited, the appended claims shall be interpreted along the lines noted immediately above.

As hereinbefore stated, an important application "of th raves ionjcenters'aroundan arrange,

men-t"for'classifying c" discharged stratified of the-invention to any particular Stratified pattern."

ontact material ,whicnis intefengagement with; the grate L in w h onditionJ-[In this connection; it shall. be'und'e'r's'to'od that there is to be norestriction' While adapted particularly to an arrangey ment for classifying contact material ofthe general character hereinbeforedescribed,' it will be understood by those skilled in theart that the' lower-end of the pipe J. Or, any'other suitable housing may be provided for these parts as desired.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore only such limifftions should be imposed as are indicated in tlie appended claims.

T claim:

1. In a system of the character described, a group of pipes, a grate defining a plurality of side-by-side passages arranged in rows extending in right-angular relation, and means for connecting to the respective pipes groups of said passages extending in one direction along said grate, the passages in each of a plurality of groups thereof being spaced in the same relation, a plurality of the groups of passages in adjacent rows thereof being staggered uniformly with respect to each other.

2. In a system of the character described, a group of pipes, a grate defining a plurality of side-by-side passages having substantially duplicate peripheral configuration and arranged in rows extending in right-angular relation, and means for connecting to the respective pipes groups of said passages extending in one direction along said grate, the passages of all of the groups thereof being spaced in the same relation, all of the groups of passages in adjacent respective rows thereof being staggered uniformly with respect to each other.

3. In combination, a housing through which gravitates a moving bed of contact material formed from small pieces of such material having unequal size ranging down to fines, means for improving uniformity of distribution of the contact material, as regards size of the pieces thereof, in planes extending horizontally through said housing at different respective levels, said means comprising pipes extending through the top housing wall with the discharge ends thereof disposed substantially in uniform spaced relation with respect to each other, said pipes being traversed by streams of contact material containing, respectively, substantially equal quantities of such contact material and lraving substantially the same range of size distribution as regards the pieces of material, a tube sheet positioned horizontally below said pipes, and groups of tubes opening through and depending from said tube sheet, said groups of tubes being arranged in symmetrical relation as regards the respective pipes, the tubes of each v Y W upwardly and around there-3 l' 'ceptacles-M, the funnels K, the nozzle R and the group being arranged in syinrneti'ical relation with respect to each other. 1 4. In a system for classifying small'pieces of solid material having unequal size, means from,

which such material is discharged whilestrath fied to form a pattern conformingwith gradation in sizeof the constituent pieces of, material,

and means defining a classifying zone into whichthe stratified material isiadmitted for, passage' therethrough, said classifying zone be; ing constructed and arranged to separate the. stratified material intostreams of material con taining, respectively, substantially equal quant ties "of. such" material 'and having substantial the same range of size distribution as regardslf the pieces of material, said ,classifyingzonem comprising a grate whichreceives the material, from said first-named means, said'gratgbeing constructed and arranged to -define a plurality of side-by si'de passages" traversed; respectiyely,, by portions of said material, said'classifying zone'furthercomprisinga plurality of receptacles arranged in side-by-side relation, each receptacle receiving material only from selected groups of said passages.

5. In a system for classifyingsmall pieces of solid material having unequal size, means from which such material is discharged while stratified to form a pattern conforming with gradation in size of the constituent pieces of material, and means defining a classifying zone into which the stratified material is admitted for passage therethrough, said classifying zone being constructed and arranged to separate the stratified material into streams of material containing, respectively, substantially equal quantities of such material and having substantially the same range of size distribution as regards the pieces of material, said classifying zone comprising a grate which receives the material from said first named means, said grate being constructed and arranged to define a plurality of side-by-side passages traversed, respectively, by portions of said material, said classifying zone further comprising a plurality of receptacles arranged in side-by-side relation, each receptacle receiving material only from selected groups of said passages, said classifying zone further comprising a plurality of containers arranged in side-by-side relation, each container receiving material only from selected groups of said receptacles.

6. In a system for classifying small pieces of solid material having unequal size, a conduit from which such material is discharged while stratified to form a pattern conforming with gradation in size of the constituent pieces of material, means defining a classifying zone into which the stratified material is admitted for passage therethrough, said classifying zone being constructed and arranged to separate the stratified material into streams of material containing, respectively, substantially equal quantities of such material and having substantially the same range of size distribution as regards .1 prising a plurality of receptacles arranged in 'side-by side' relation, each receptacle receiving material only fromselected groups of said passages, said classifying zone further comprising 11 a plurality of containers arranged in side-byside relation, each container receiving material only from selected groups of said receptacles, and a plurality of pipes connected, respectively, to said containers.

7. In a hydrocarbon conversion system in which solid contact material of unequal particle-size is passed downwardly in a vertically stratified confined stream into a contact zone wherein said material gravitates as a compact moving bed, the method of effecting substantially uniform particle-size distribution of said material across said bed which comprises the steps of passing said material from said confined stream onto a horizontal downwardly moving bed in laterally directed flow, thereby causing a horizontal stratification of material in said horizontal bed, withdrawing material from said horizontal bed in parallel zones extending transversely across said horizontal Stratification pattern to form a plurality of confined streams of said material, grouping said confined streams into progressively recurrent series and collecting material from correspond- REFERENCES CITED "The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS *Number Name Date 633,313 Haines, Jr., et a1. Sept. 19, 1899 660,845 Edison Oct. 30, 1900 v 722,782 Weaver Mar. 17, 1903 939,939 Dor-Delattre Nov. 16, 1909 1,145,215 Roney July 6, 1915 1,201,163 Kusebauch Nov. 7, 1916 1: 1,988,531 Wheeler Jan. 22, 1935 Underwood June 29, 1937 

